Dominican Tourism Campaign and Zel Punta Cana win gold at 2026 Magellan Awards

The Dominican Republic’s “Subway to Paradise” tourism campaign and Zel Punta Cana hotel received gold honors at the 2026 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, recognizing their excellence in tourism marketing and hospitality.

The campaign by the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) won two gold awards in the Tourist Destinations categories: Live Marketing Program and Tourist Destinations – Marketing – Live Events.

Meanwhile, Zel Punta Cana, operated by Meliá Hotels International, received a gold award in the Hospitality – Resort/All-inclusive Hotel category.

“Subway to Paradise” was launched in the New York City subway in December 2025 and January 2026 to promote the Dominican Republic as a tourist destination while strengthening its connection with the Dominican diaspora. New York is home to approximately one-third of Dominicans living abroad, making the city a key market for the campaign.

As part of the initiative, subway cars were wrapped with images of Dominican landscapes and the slogan “Dominicana smiles at you.”

Zel Punta Cana, developed by Meliá Hotels International in partnership with tennis star Rafael Nadal, is the brand’s first hotel in the Caribbean. The resort features 190 nature-inspired rooms, including suites with direct pool access.

The Magellan Awards, presented by Travel Weekly, recognize excellence in the travel industry across areas including destination marketing, design, hospitality and service. Entries are evaluated by a jury of experienced tourism professionals according to standards established by the publication.